High cost of tuition

The cost of tuition is a significant barrier for unauthorized students to access college. Unauthorized students are not eligible to receive federal financial aid to ameliorate the cost of their tuition. This includes federal grants, federal loans, and federal work-study programs.

Many states have recognized this problem. As a result, 20 states and the District of Columbia have passed tuition equity laws or policies that offer unauthorized students the ability to pay for public colleges and universities at in-state rates. These include California, Texas, Florida, New York, and New Jersey—the states with the highest populations of unauthorized immigrants.

Some states provide in-state tuition only to those who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection. Since President Donald Trump rescinded DACA in September 2017, DACA recipients in these states will likely face prohibitive tuition costs. Ángel Cabrera, the president of George Mason University, noted that the university provides in-state tuition to more than 300 DACA recipients, but after January 2018, about half of them will lose their status and may be forced to leave George Mason because they will no longer be able to afford their studies. On the other hand, six states—such as Arizona, Georgia, and Indiana—have passed legislation prohibiting unauthorized students from receiving in-state tuition.

To support unauthorized students, colleges and universities should ensure that private scholarships and institutional aid are accessible to all students who need support, including unauthorized students. For instance, many colleges offer need-based scholarships to those who demonstrate financial difficulties under a variety of definitions. These colleges should explore extending need-based support to unauthorized students if they do not do so already. Additionally, the 20 states that have remained neutral on passing tuition equity laws should consider standing alongside unauthorized students by supporting their access to higher education.

Increased mental health risk

In addition to financial accessibility, unauthorized students face a wide range of personal challenges that weigh heavily on their mental health. A study by the Institute for Immigration, Globalization, and Education at UCLA, for example, found that unauthorized students experience high levels of clinical anxiety. The study found that 29 percent of males and 37 percent of females had anxiety scores that were above the clinical cutoff level, which is 4 percent to 9 percent above average. This study also found that unauthorized students experienced feelings of isolation because they did not know who to trust. They also felt that they were treated negatively on campus because of their immigration status. Overall, three-fourths of the students that were surveyed reported that they live in constant fear of being detained or deported.

Despite this increased mental health risk, many unauthorized immigrants are unable to qualify for affordable health insurance because of their status—and are unable to afford private health insurance. This leaves unauthorized college students with a choice between remaining without coverage or purchasing student health coverage, which is sometimes made available by their institutions regardless of status and tends to be more affordable.

Colleges and universities should aid their students by offering counseling and psychiatric services regardless of immigration or health insurance status. In doing so, these institutions should also hire professional staff members that understand the concerns of unauthorized students and the issues they constantly face.

Challenges Undocumented students might face and effects: Fear, Anxiety, Depression, Shame

Source: Penn for Immigrant Rights, Dream Activist PA, & Immigration Policy Center

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The Obstacles Unauthorized Students Face in Postsecondary Education | By Christian Juarez Posted on December 21, 2017